The students complete a series of compulsory laboratory experiments (7 ECTS).

Term 2:

Optional courses: 24 ECTS from the following:

Advanced Topics in Nanophotonics (6 ECTS)

Laser Technology (3 ECTS);

Nonlinear Optics (3 ECTS);

Laser Optics (3 ECTS);

Biomedical Optics (3 ECTS);

Photonics Structures (3 ECTS);

Optical Fibre Technology (3 ECTS);

Optoelectronic Components and Devices (3 ECTS);

Optical Displays (3 ECTS);

Optical Design (6 ECTS);

Optical Design Laboratory (6 ECTS).

Students design and build a working optical system as part of their laboratory work (5 ECTS).

Students undertake a supervised ‘self-study’ literature review, assessed by a written report and a presentation (2 ECTS).

Term Three and Summer:

The students complete their 4 month project and submit a report and an assessed presentation (28 ECTS). The projects may be based at an external institution (but with an Imperial College supervisor assigned).

2. MSc in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces

Students take four optional lecture courses over terms 1 and 2. In the first term the options are:

Differential Geometry (8 ECTS);

Foundations of Quantum Mechanics (6 ECTS);

Group Theory (6 ECTS);

General Relativity (6 ECTS);

Quantum Information (6 ECTS).

The Theoretical Physics group offers a series of seminars - students are expected to attend.

Term 2:

In January, two tests (two hours long) on the first term's courses, one on Particle Symmetries, the other examining both the QFT and Unification courses. These do not count towards the final degree result.

Students complete the Quantum Electrodynamics course.

Students complete their selection of optional courses from the following options:

String Theory (8 ECTS);

Cosmology and Particle Physics (8 ECTS);

Supersymmetry (8 ECTS);

Advanced Quantum Field Theory (8 ECTS);

Black Holes (8 ECTS);

Quantum Theory of Matter (6 ECTS).

Term 3 and Summer:

After the exams there are a series of special topics lectures. By the beginning of July students shall have chosen the topic of their dissertation, which is submitted in late September (30 ECTS).

7. MSc in Physics

Students who have already covered these courses in sufficient depth take an additional option.

Optional lecture courses (total 30 ECTS). All students choose five options (6 ECTS each) from the list below of specialised lecture courses, some are offered in term 2, or courses offered by the Department’s other masters courses (please note that a few courses may not be available because of equipment or the need to have studied several pre-requisite courses).

Advanced Particle Physics;

Astrphysics;

Atmospheric Physics;

Complexity and Networks;

Computational Neuroscience;

Computational Physics;

Cosmology;

Foundations of Quantum Mechanics;

General Relativity;

Group Theory;

Laser Technology;

Nanotechnology in consumer electronics;

Plasma Physics;

Plasmonics and Metamaterials;

Principles of Instrumentation;

Quantum Field Theory;

Quantum Information;

Quantum Optics;

Quantum Theory of Matter;

Space Physics;

Statistical Mechanics;

Unification - the Standard Model.

Introduction to Shock PhysicsA

And the following courses are 3 ECTS:

Advanced Hydrodynamics;

Fluid DynamicsA;

Imaging Biophotonics;

Information Theory;

Lasers;

MI: Nuclear Diagnostics and MRI;

MI: X-Ray Imaging and Ultrasound;

Optical Communications.

Self Study Project (6 ECTS), a literature based project on a topic in physics.

Laboratory Research Skills Training (6 ECTS). In the second term the students have a series of laboratory based exercises and mini-projects, designed to teach them how to interface laboratory equipment with data analysis tools and to effectively utilise computational and numerical tools.

Term 3:

Most of the third term and the Summer is devoted to dedicated individual project work (36 ECTS) in research groups or research laboratories.

7a. MSc in Physics with Shock Physics

All courses marked with an A in the courses listed in the MSc in Physics are compulsory courses. Students will be supervised in their masters project by staff from the Institute of Shock Physics.

7b. MSc in Physics with Nanophotonics

All courses marked with an B in the courses listed in the MSc in Physics are compulsory courses, plus the Imaging and Advanced Topics in Nanophotonics courses under the MSc in Optics and Photonics. Students will undertake a research project in the field of nanophotonics.

7c. MSc in Physics with Extended Research

For the MSc in Physics with Extended Research, term 1 and 2 are identical to the MSc in Physics. In term 3 after the examinations students prepare a literature review and project plan (6 ECTS).

In the second academic year the students undertake their individual project work (60 ECTS).

8. MSc in Quantum Engineering

Please visit the MSc in Quantum Engineering website for details on the programme.